Rules! Rules! Rules! Everyone has rules to follow. Kids often feel inundated with rules. they can't wait until they get older and don't have so many "dumb rules" to obey. what they don't know is that the number and variety of rules will increase as they grow older. For me, they go by many names: laws, ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, directives, guidelines, standards, and "that's how we've always done it." I can barely begin to keep track of them all...in handbooks, journals, periodicals, letters, lists, notices, memos, and in the minds of those who expect me to know. Realizing they are important--providing order, decency, safety, protection, even peace and harmony among people--I try not to violate them. Still, it seems at times that life is just one big mine field of rules to wade through daily. There's got to be a simpler, more palitable, way!

there is! Psalm 37: 3 reads, "Trust in the Lord and do good." Also, Philippians 4:8, reads "...whatever is good...whatever is right...think about such things." Simply, "Do right!" seems to be away of stating all the rules that come our way each day.

Our lives need not be mine fields of rules. Even a person, who by faith is just beginning to fathom God's wondrous gift of forgiveness and salvation in christ Jesus, is thereby raised by that knowledge and understanding to live on a higher plane. With thankful hearts, trusting our Savior at His Word--that Good News of life eternal in heaven--we are simply motivated to "do good." On that higher plane of life, rules are not so much something that we must obey as they are something we are free and able to obey as God's own thankful people. that "do right" attitude covers a lot of rules.

What a model for right thinking and living god's people provide those mired in the mine field of rules! Christians are a curious lot, especially to the unbeliever. Let all see your life in Christ.